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Quote of the Week
"The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing." - Albert Einstein
How Parents Can Help Kids Ask The Big Questions
“I can do it myself!”
That’s a phrase we typically associate with young children when they learn to get dressed and eat breakfast. Later, they might use it as they start riding a bike or reading a chapter book.
But what does the question have to do with their spiritual development? A lot, it turns out.
As children grow, they start to think and do more on their own, including in matters of spirituality and religion. “Religion” typically refers to the beliefs and practices associated with organized faith traditions and institutions, such as Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and Sikhism. “Spirituality” is defined in many ways, including connectedness to one’s best self, to humanity, and to a higher power or a nonmaterial world, all of which bring to life a sense of meaning, wonder, peace, and purpose. [...]
In those moments, it can be tempting to press the “control” button—doing everything you can think of to keep your child from straying from your preferred path. Even if we wished we could redirect our children so easily, rarely is that effective. As part of becoming their unique selves, children need to explore, discover, and try things. [read more]
Reading Corner
 Title: What Do You Do With An Idea
By: Kobi Yamada
Ages: 4 and above
"What Do You Do With An Idea? is about a boy who has an idea, illustrated as a golden crowned egg with legs. The boy wonders about the peculiar golden biped; its origins, its purpose, its place in the world. The boy was uncomfortable, he was unsure what to do with the idea and so he tried to deny its existence. But the idea was persistent and would not leave, in fact it seemed to be growing and eventually, the boy got used to having this idea around. As the boy becomes more comfortable with the idea, he tentatively starts sharing it with others. Many laughed at the peculiar looking idea, as the boy suspected they would, but the boy perseveres. Becoming more confident, the boy decides to ignore his detractors and nurture and love the idea, to the point where he can’t imagine life without it. The boy discovers his idea gives him the feeling of being alive and also perspective on seeing life differently. With the boy's attention and dedication, the idea beautifully changes the world and permanently becomes part of everything around him.
The message in What Do You Do With An Idea? is clear welcome and nurture ideas with patience and persistence, no matter how big or small, no matter how unique or popular, and they may grow to change the world. It’s a message that s been shared before by teachers, business leaders, parents and mentors. What makes this message so unique is the simple but beautiful way it’s delivered, in narrative and illustration, through the eyes and voice of an innocent and hopeful child." – The Children’s Book Review
Recommended by KindfulKids Editors
Be The Change
Set aside a few minutes this week to explore one "big question" with your child, something about kindness, happiness, nature, or life's mysteries. Instead of rushing to answer, practice listening, wondering, and discovering together, allowing curiosity to be the guide.
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